Freeholders and MHADA Board Recognize Two for Community Contribution

Cape May Court House – Freeholder Gerald Thornton and the Board of Chosen Freeholders along with the Cape May County Mental Health Alcohol and Drug Abuse Board (MHADA) honored Joseph Grottola and Jonathan Poag, recipients of the Board’s annual recognition award, on December 2, 2010 at the Cape Counseling Family Center in Rio Grande, New Jersey.
Freeholder Thornton said, “On behalf of both Boards, I am honored to acknowledge the wonderful work of these two people who represent the best of two different aspects of human services.”
Joseph Grottola, who is employed by Cape Counseling Services as a recreational coordinator for School Based Youth Services of Lower Cape May Regional High School, was recognized for his work with the youth of Cape May County.
Joe has held this position for more than twenty years and has worked with a multitude of teens in Cape May County. He has incorporated his skill as a Grand Master Surfer into teaching the youth of this area the importance of physical activity such as surfing, kayaking and paddle boarding into maintaining a healthy and happy lifestyle. Through these activities, Joe has helped many teens avoid unhealthy behaviors such as alcohol, drugs and tobacco. He has instilled the need for maintaining a healthy mind and body to achieve personal goals whether they are surfing, continuing education or having healthy positive relationships. Joe has counseled many teens through difficult times in their lives.
Also, Joe Grottola is active in the community. He is an official of the Southern New Jersey district of the Eastern Surfing Association and he works collaboratively with environmental and community agencies to promote healthy living and the prevention of violence. He is certified to rescue, raise and release the endangered Diamond turtle. He works with Lower Cape May Regional High School Students and the Marine Biology Department on the Terrapin Project.
“Joe Grottola has a special talent for reaching teens,” added Freeholder Thornton. “Joe has been able to reach the youth of this area through recreation and he has had a huge impact on improving their mental health and overall well being. He is a great asset to our county and to all who interact with him. His example is an inspiration to our youth on how to live a positive substance free lifestyle.
Joe Grottola lives in West Cape May with his wife, Lisa and their two dogs, Moon Doggy and Dogzilla.
Jon Poag was honored for his extensive work in the field of mental health. Jon began his career in New Jersey in 1974 when he worked for DYFS. In 1977, he became the Social Work Supervisor at Ancora State Hospital and he continued in the field of mental health until his retirement in 2010. Over the years, he was a program analyst, regional coordinator, assistant division director and Acting Assistant Commissioner for Mental Health Services in the New Jersey Department of Human Services. He oversaw major statewide initiatives such as downsizing of the state hospital population, the development of consumer operated programs, psycho-educational programs for families, the Programs for Assertive Community Treatment teams and Intensive Case Management Services.
Jon worked in Cape May County from 1981 to 1986 and together with Barry Keefe of Cape Counseling Services and Pat Devaney of Cape May County Human Services, developed many innovative programs to assist the mental health population with housing and services. Additionally, he assisted in the expansion of the county’s Mental Health Board into the Cape May County Mental Health, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Board, the first in the state. Also, he was pivotal in the development of the Cape May – Atlantic Children’s Challenge Grant which brought $660,000 in children’s mental health services to the two counties.
“Jon has always been a natural born leader and thinker,” said Freeholder Thornton. “Through his intellect and his compassion, he has left his mark on the landscape of mental health services throughout the entire state. We were fortunate to have him in this county in the early 80’s when services were growing and developing. His thoughtful and open approach to solving problems left us all with a standard that Cape May County continues to strive for, even in these times of budget cutbacks.”
Jon lives in Shamong with his wife Lynne. He is an avid bicyclist and is enjoying his retirement.
The MHADA Board advises the county and the state regarding local needs in the area of mental health, substance abuse prevention, treatment through planning, allocation of funding and monitoring of programs. The MHADA Board meetings are open to the public and dates are posted on the county’s website capemaycountygov.net. For additional information please call 465-1055.